[Everything was starting to mildly go back to normal.
As normal as it ever was for the Hamato family. Ancient interdimensional aliens attacking New York, time travel, an older version of Leonardo falling through a portal to foretell their doom if they didn't act quickly- it was a lot.
A new normal was starting to take shape with the battle over. Their new addition made things more than a little tense at times. Leo still couldn't completely adjust to it, not after the rough first impression that was had. It wasn't about to get any easier any time soon.
New York was working on repairing itself from the Krang's attack, which was understandably slow going. That slow repair naturally meant their family wasn't doing as many topside trips to patrol.
Everyone was going just a little stir-crazy. Most of the injuries everyone had suffered were still healing, but it was slow going like everything else. It was a potent combination leaving the lair feeling more than a little restless. Splinter had done his fair share of scolding and hiding skateboards to try and quell the need to do something.
Leo's own nightmares meant he was up and about more than he was asleep most nights. Unable to properly relax. He could finally walk around again on his own but still had an unsteadiness to his steps. He just had to take it a bit easier than he'd like still.
This was another night like that. He had burned through re-reading all of his comics, reorganizing some of his action figures, and re-hanging posters. He pushed out of his room into the rest of the lair, intent on just distracting himself until he hears what sounds like someone beating one of the dummies in the dojo.
Leo wrinkles his snout a little, mildly wondering who else is even up right now. He drifts towards the dojo's doors, somehow surprised and not surprised to see his older self working the dummy over. He watches for a bit longer before speaking up, his tone more accusatory than he means it to be.] Have you even gone to bed yet, old man?
[This whole thing was beyond weird. Weirder than their usual brand of 'weird'. He'd managed to convinced them he was not only real, but also not lying about anything though that had taken more time (and embarrassment for everyone involved) than he'd liked. They were too late to stop the initial run of Krang, but ultimately they had stopped everything from going to shit like his timeline.
But even with all that over, he has nowhere to go. No one knows what to do with him, so he's staying for the foreseeable future. They're having to figure out how to reverse engineer Donnie's own future-tech to now-tech to get him another replacement arm, his own injuries weren't exactly the best since he'd gone fully in without hesitation (Krang without their suits? Way easier than Krang-with-suits) to spare them the bruises. It still hadn't fully worked - his younger self had gotten locked in the dimension for a short while, long enough to get the shit beaten out of him to near-death. They'd all come out with their injuries and bruises, himself not exempt.
And this Leonardo, older and more experienced, has to come to terms with that. It's still better than twenty-odd years of torment and running and uninhabitable Earth but it still isn't something he would've wished on him.
But he can't sleep. He almost never can, whether it's from the hypervigilance, or the having watched his friends and family be killed in front of him because he was just a hair second too late. So he's in the dojo, taking out his frustrations on a dummy. It's not what he'll tell anyone, clearly he's just staying fit, staying on task. Keeping an eye out. Getting prepared in case they have to deal with anything before he has the replacement arm.
But he stops when he hears someone shuffling through and freezes at the voice. Then lets out a slow exhale.]
Careful what you say, you'll be an old man yourself.
Sure, whatever. Not today at least [Truly a stunning comeback on Leo's part, but, he isn't running on a full tank of energy at the moment.
He just rolls his shoulders tiredly, trying to just figure out what he even wants to say. He wishes he could sleep, but he isn't getting there yet.] Pretty sure you're supposed to be resting anyway. Unless you want Raph to flip when he realizes you're straining yourself. You'll get the concern stink going.
[Unsurprisingly, pot meet kettle. Leo himself should be resting, but isn't doing much of it.]
[He finally stops and just focuses on breathing for a minute. He still has a hard time just looking at his younger self because... it's weird? It's weird looking at a younger version of himself without the trauma and turmoil he's gone through for decades now.]
And what exactly are you doing right now besides also-not-resting?
Walking, which isn't exactly training at 2 am, now is it? [Is he picking a fight? Maybe. The inclination to push buttons is a strong one.
He clicks his teeth together, managing to find something besides his own mixed feelings about his apparent future self. He forces himself to take a breath, just looking at the other turtle.]
Just sit down, alright? [It's said carelessly, in an attempt to sound casual. He ambles away for a bit. The older turtle can likely hear him moving around in the kitchen nebulously nearby.
It doesn't take him too long to return, water bottle in hand. He closes some of the distance between them to half shove it at Leonardo.]
[Leonardo just sort of huffs once through his nose and looks around as Leo leaves. Everything really is sore and aching, even if moving around is stretching those muscles again.
This place is home, but it's not home, it's not comfortable but it is in that nostalgic way he thought he'd lost forever. But so long on edge, he can't just break the habits he built overnight or even just over a month or so.
Besides all that, staying busy keeps him from thinking too much. Like he's about to start doing when the water bottle gets shoved his direction. He looks at it, then at Leo before taking it and just. Balancing it to open it.]
Thanks. ... You should be resting more than me right now.
[Once the older turtle has the water bottle in hand, Leo moves to sit down heavily on one of the tatami mats. Managing a bit of a brief grin, spreading his hands wide in an exaggerated gesture.]
Bam, resting.
[He shifts, wincing a little. Okay, maybe he landed a little too hard.] Pretty sure if we were both caught, it'd be the same level of sibling and parent worry.
[He would offer to help, but Leo already knows it's probably not going to go over well. Leonardo lights up at the sight of everyone else in their family. He'd take their help without hesitation. The teenager feels like he's iffier on that scale.]
Again, could say the same for you. Yet, here we are. [Dramatically throws his arms wide already regretting it since wow, he hurts still. He makes a face but lets it be.
He's leaning into theatrics since it's comfortable easy. Far easier than being leader, than dealing with any of this. He forgets in a way that the older version of himself can easily see through that.]
You should go to bed soon anyway, I think Mikey is going to spring a surprise on you. Not that you heard that from me.
[The guy lights up at the sight of everyone else in their family and then alone looks low-key devastated every time he thinks about them.
Mikey springing a surprise on him is both hopeful and heartbreaking, a flash in his mind of watching the Badass Mystic Warrior Mikey from his time... fading to dust in front of him in the last ditch effort.
Theatrics are easy. Easy to put on and easy to see through.]
Unless it's a surprise that requires me to be in bed for him to spring it, I think I'm fine in here.
Hey, it might. Can't let all the sick deets leak, y'know. [He drops his hands into his lap for the moment.
His fingers loosely tapped at his legs. The nervous energy that has nowhere to go is released with the idle gestures.] He's been trying to keep it hush-hush, but, could involve making your space homier. Who knows.
[Mikey trying to make Leonardo feel at home isn't new, but this was one of his bigger plans to make things feel more settled. Seeing his baby brother plan this had been an interesting time. Some part of Leo is jealous, maybe unhappy about it. The rest of him knows this older version of him deserves some peace, even if he's boring and a grouch.]
[God. Clean water readily available is a novelty he's still getting used to again. Along with food, caffeine, everything else. The thought of their baby brother wanting to settle him even more into their home - because it is their, he's the one outside of time intruding here.
Oh he can guess what his younger self must be feeling in some regard. But Leonardo here, older and tired, worn and not entirely used to good things happening is a bit awed by the consideration.]
That's... He doesn't have to do all that. Honestly, I was considering finding another abandoned subway hub close by, y'know, just be weird neighbors.
Yeah, even if, you and I don't mesh great. [He laces his fingers together for emphasis.] You'd have to be kidding yourself to think everyone else would let you go all that far.
If you really wanna move, I know they'll respect that. I'll respect it. [He'd like to feel less awkward in his own home, but, he's... vaguely trying to be nice here.]
Just expect a lot of sad Mikey eyes, and Dad making excuses to show up and watch TV in your place, Raph showing up for no reason, just checking in. Donnie upgrading your tech regularly... [He waves a hand, letting his words trail off to prove his point.] It'd be a parade coming by regularly.
[Yeah, he's not a complete idiot. Old age hasn't gotten him that bad, he notices Leo didn't say anything about himself besides 'respecting' his decision. Which means he'd probably be happier if Master Leonardo did find someplace else to hole up.
He finally takes a sip of that water.]
And you'd probably prefer I not here. It's weird, right?
[Sure, he's being nicer than usual, but he's still just trying to irritate his other self in some regard. It's hard not to. Neither of them are comfortable with the other for many reasons.
He's not outright calling Leonardo an old man now, but, there is always the threat of just bringing that back out.]
Pretty sure the feeling is mutual, let's be real here. [He wrinkles his snout again.] Yeah, it's weird. Hasn't gotten any less weird. Knowing that- you're what I could've been.
...Yeah. And it's weird seeing a younger me that hasn't gotten to figure stuff out yet.
[So. Same boat, at least, even if they're looking different directions for now. But he looks down at the bottle of water that got handed to him.]
I dunno what to tell you. I'm not here to make things uncomfortable or weird, I was only supposed to be here to help the Krang. [And it wasn't even supposed to be him, but things happen, and sometimes you watch your sort-of-but-not-really-kind-of-son get killed on your way out.] After that, I dunno.
I know you aren't. Even if it'd be easier if I believed you were just an older jerkier version of me here to make things difficult. [He touches on that much honestly enough. The situation is just more complicated than anyone knows how to deal with.
His hands find a place against his knees, the bruising there having faded to a mottled ugly color but not hurting any longer. His fingers tap agitatedly against the skin.] I dunno either.
You get to make something new though. Even if being here is going to stay weird.
[Hm. He can at least smile at the honesty, he appreciates it instead of Leo tiptoeing around it. But he fidgets with the water bottle now, his own energy not really having an outlet since he stopped letting it out on the punching bag.]
I mean, things were already weird before, right? Just a little weirder now. I'll try not to make it intentionally weird.
[Honesty? Vulnerability? Who are these two? Mostly, Leo wants to actively just get to the point of things. Both of them have been antagonizing each intentionally and unintentionally at times.]
Yeah, I guess thats true. [He taps at the faded bruise idly, likely adding to the remaining coloration more than anything.] Weird becomes weirder. I- guess I can try to take it easier on you. [Mildly less sass? Maybe. Only time will tell.] Might mean I get less talks from Doctor Delicate Touch too, which is a bonus.
[He watches his younger self and... Okay no, he has to.]
Wow. You mean that was you trying? I'm not so impressed now. [He chuckles to himself mostly, taking a sip of water.] That aside though... yeah. I'll take it easier too.
[The eye roll is expected. Leo should have known that was coming. Talking to what is essentially himself but ancient means he gets it.
Still doesn't like it though.]
Yeah, okay, okay- fair. The urge to make it harder on you is, so strong though. [Prank war is an itch under his skin.] But, I already know that wouldn't fly right now.
[Later tho....]
I guess we're calling this a truce. A weird weird truce. [Leo would prefer to not try, but he's stuck now.]
[Fiddling with that bottle now. Putting the cap on would just be awkward right now, not without his other arm and he won't have that until Donnie's finished scanning and making schematics out of his busted one. "Future technology I have to reverse engineer" he'd said. ugghhhhhh it's taking so long though.
So instead, he taps one foot on the floor. The only real sign of his anxiety right now. He's gotten good at hiding it.]
Oh, yeah-? [The truce is now in questionable standing with that sentiment. Leo looks decidedly unimpressed.] How exactly, old man? Cause I'm pretty sure I can still smoke you in every category.
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@neonleon
As normal as it ever was for the Hamato family. Ancient interdimensional aliens attacking New York, time travel, an older version of Leonardo falling through a portal to foretell their doom if they didn't act quickly- it was a lot.
A new normal was starting to take shape with the battle over. Their new addition made things more than a little tense at times. Leo still couldn't completely adjust to it, not after the rough first impression that was had. It wasn't about to get any easier any time soon.
New York was working on repairing itself from the Krang's attack, which was understandably slow going. That slow repair naturally meant their family wasn't doing as many topside trips to patrol.
Everyone was going just a little stir-crazy. Most of the injuries everyone had suffered were still healing, but it was slow going like everything else. It was a potent combination leaving the lair feeling more than a little restless. Splinter had done his fair share of scolding and hiding skateboards to try and quell the need to do something.
Leo's own nightmares meant he was up and about more than he was asleep most nights. Unable to properly relax. He could finally walk around again on his own but still had an unsteadiness to his steps. He just had to take it a bit easier than he'd like still.
This was another night like that. He had burned through re-reading all of his comics, reorganizing some of his action figures, and re-hanging posters. He pushed out of his room into the rest of the lair, intent on just distracting himself until he hears what sounds like someone beating one of the dummies in the dojo.
Leo wrinkles his snout a little, mildly wondering who else is even up right now. He drifts towards the dojo's doors, somehow surprised and not surprised to see his older self working the dummy over. He watches for a bit longer before speaking up, his tone more accusatory than he means it to be.] Have you even gone to bed yet, old man?
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But even with all that over, he has nowhere to go. No one knows what to do with him, so he's staying for the foreseeable future. They're having to figure out how to reverse engineer Donnie's own future-tech to now-tech to get him another replacement arm, his own injuries weren't exactly the best since he'd gone fully in without hesitation (Krang without their suits? Way easier than Krang-with-suits) to spare them the bruises. It still hadn't fully worked - his younger self had gotten locked in the dimension for a short while, long enough to get the shit beaten out of him to near-death. They'd all come out with their injuries and bruises, himself not exempt.
And this Leonardo, older and more experienced, has to come to terms with that. It's still better than twenty-odd years of torment and running and uninhabitable Earth but it still isn't something he would've wished on him.
But he can't sleep. He almost never can, whether it's from the hypervigilance, or the having watched his friends and family be killed in front of him because he was just a hair second too late. So he's in the dojo, taking out his frustrations on a dummy. It's not what he'll tell anyone, clearly he's just staying fit, staying on task. Keeping an eye out. Getting prepared in case they have to deal with anything before he has the replacement arm.
But he stops when he hears someone shuffling through and freezes at the voice. Then lets out a slow exhale.]
Careful what you say, you'll be an old man yourself.
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He just rolls his shoulders tiredly, trying to just figure out what he even wants to say. He wishes he could sleep, but he isn't getting there yet.] Pretty sure you're supposed to be resting anyway. Unless you want Raph to flip when he realizes you're straining yourself. You'll get the concern stink going.
[Unsurprisingly, pot meet kettle. Leo himself should be resting, but isn't doing much of it.]
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And what exactly are you doing right now besides also-not-resting?
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He clicks his teeth together, managing to find something besides his own mixed feelings about his apparent future self. He forces himself to take a breath, just looking at the other turtle.]
Just sit down, alright? [It's said carelessly, in an attempt to sound casual. He ambles away for a bit. The older turtle can likely hear him moving around in the kitchen nebulously nearby.
It doesn't take him too long to return, water bottle in hand. He closes some of the distance between them to half shove it at Leonardo.]
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This place is home, but it's not home, it's not comfortable but it is in that nostalgic way he thought he'd lost forever. But so long on edge, he can't just break the habits he built overnight or even just over a month or so.
Besides all that, staying busy keeps him from thinking too much. Like he's about to start doing when the water bottle gets shoved his direction. He looks at it, then at Leo before taking it and just. Balancing it to open it.]
Thanks. ... You should be resting more than me right now.
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Bam, resting.
[He shifts, wincing a little. Okay, maybe he landed a little too hard.] Pretty sure if we were both caught, it'd be the same level of sibling and parent worry.
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It takes him another second to really getting the bottle open with only three fingers and one hand here.]
I think they'd prefer you rest in a bed, but I get it.
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Again, could say the same for you. Yet, here we are. [Dramatically throws his arms wide already regretting it since wow, he hurts still. He makes a face but lets it be.
He's leaning into theatrics since it's comfortable easy. Far easier than being leader, than dealing with any of this. He forgets in a way that the older version of himself can easily see through that.]
You should go to bed soon anyway, I think Mikey is going to spring a surprise on you. Not that you heard that from me.
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Mikey springing a surprise on him is both hopeful and heartbreaking, a flash in his mind of watching the Badass Mystic Warrior Mikey from his time... fading to dust in front of him in the last ditch effort.
Theatrics are easy. Easy to put on and easy to see through.]
Unless it's a surprise that requires me to be in bed for him to spring it, I think I'm fine in here.
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His fingers loosely tapped at his legs. The nervous energy that has nowhere to go is released with the idle gestures.] He's been trying to keep it hush-hush, but, could involve making your space homier. Who knows.
[Mikey trying to make Leonardo feel at home isn't new, but this was one of his bigger plans to make things feel more settled. Seeing his baby brother plan this had been an interesting time. Some part of Leo is jealous, maybe unhappy about it. The rest of him knows this older version of him deserves some peace, even if he's boring and a grouch.]
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Oh he can guess what his younger self must be feeling in some regard. But Leonardo here, older and tired, worn and not entirely used to good things happening is a bit awed by the consideration.]
That's... He doesn't have to do all that. Honestly, I was considering finding another abandoned subway hub close by, y'know, just be weird neighbors.
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If you really wanna move, I know they'll respect that. I'll respect it. [He'd like to feel less awkward in his own home, but, he's... vaguely trying to be nice here.]
Just expect a lot of sad Mikey eyes, and Dad making excuses to show up and watch TV in your place, Raph showing up for no reason, just checking in. Donnie upgrading your tech regularly... [He waves a hand, letting his words trail off to prove his point.] It'd be a parade coming by regularly.
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He finally takes a sip of that water.]
And you'd probably prefer I not here. It's weird, right?
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He's not outright calling Leonardo an old man now, but, there is always the threat of just bringing that back out.]
Pretty sure the feeling is mutual, let's be real here. [He wrinkles his snout again.] Yeah, it's weird. Hasn't gotten any less weird. Knowing that- you're what I could've been.
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[So. Same boat, at least, even if they're looking different directions for now. But he looks down at the bottle of water that got handed to him.]
I dunno what to tell you. I'm not here to make things uncomfortable or weird, I was only supposed to be here to help the Krang. [And it wasn't even supposed to be him, but things happen, and sometimes you watch your sort-of-but-not-really-kind-of-son get killed on your way out.] After that, I dunno.
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His hands find a place against his knees, the bruising there having faded to a mottled ugly color but not hurting any longer. His fingers tap agitatedly against the skin.] I dunno either.
You get to make something new though. Even if being here is going to stay weird.
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I mean, things were already weird before, right? Just a little weirder now. I'll try not to make it intentionally weird.
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Yeah, I guess thats true. [He taps at the faded bruise idly, likely adding to the remaining coloration more than anything.] Weird becomes weirder. I- guess I can try to take it easier on you. [Mildly less sass? Maybe. Only time will tell.] Might mean I get less talks from Doctor Delicate Touch too, which is a bonus.
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Wow. You mean that was you trying? I'm not so impressed now. [He chuckles to himself mostly, taking a sip of water.] That aside though... yeah. I'll take it easier too.
...Had to get that last one in though.
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Still doesn't like it though.]
Yeah, okay, okay- fair. The urge to make it harder on you is, so strong though. [Prank war is an itch under his skin.] But, I already know that wouldn't fly right now.
[Later tho....]
I guess we're calling this a truce. A weird weird truce. [Leo would prefer to not try, but he's stuck now.]
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[Fiddling with that bottle now. Putting the cap on would just be awkward right now, not without his other arm and he won't have that until Donnie's finished scanning and making schematics out of his busted one. "Future technology I have to reverse engineer" he'd said. ugghhhhhh it's taking so long though.
So instead, he taps one foot on the floor. The only real sign of his anxiety right now. He's gotten good at hiding it.]
Yeah. Weird truce it is.
Because I'd win anyway.
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What makes you so certain, kid?